Eastern Cape police are continuing to monitor the situation at Mthatha after threats to close down the town on Monday was received.
Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Khaya Tonjeni, said there is a “heavy presence” in Mthatha with “high visibility patrols” in the town and surrounding areas.
Disgruntled taxi operators who had their operations halted by Police Minister, Bheki Cele, had reportedly threatened to bring the town to a standstill on Monday.
Last week protestors burned tyres and blocked strategic entry points to the town as the negative impact of the taxi ban commuters and the town’s economy began to bite.
This past weekend police impounded 18 taxis in Mthatha.
Restrictions were recently relaxed by Eastern Cape authorities to accommodate the transportation of children when schools reopened.
Tonjeni said that “roadblocks were also done on all the entry roads to the town including Vidgesville, Port St Johns, Engcobo and Qumbu and Tsolo routes.”
He said police removed a few burning tyres in different parts of the town on Monday but no arrests were made and no injuries were reported.
Tonjeni said shops were open “and there appears to be relative calm in the towns and neighbouring area.”
